After Xiao Shaojun left, Xiao Yan, standing in the courtyard, pondered once again the words he had spoken earlier.
" The Heaven Inquiry Pill..."
One is missing, another is in the Ouyang Clan, and even the one closest to him, and the most likely one, is in the hands of the family's second elder, Xiao Yitian. But unfortunately, Xiao Yitian is in seclusion. It seems that the chances of obtaining this Heaven Inquiry Pill are slim.
"These things can't be rushed. Perhaps we should find an opportunity to ask the First Elder; maybe he can get in touch with the Second Elder."
Behind him, Xiao Xuan slowly walked in from the entrance. His wise eyes seemed to see through Xiao Yan's thoughts. He smiled slightly and comforted him.
Upon hearing this, the latter could only shake his head helplessly. The matter of the Heaven Inquiry Pill could only be put on hold for the time being. However, the ' Clan Ritual ' that Xiao Shaojun had mentioned before was something that Xiao Yan was very concerned about.
This event, comparable to a clan assembly, is so grand that even a powerful sect like the Yuan Zong can barely qualify to participate. With such stringent requirements, what exactly does this Clan Ritual consist of?
"Ancestor, do you know what that ' Clan Ritual ' is?"
Xiao Yan turned to look at Xiao Xuan, who had sat back down at the stone table, and asked with a curious expression.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan paused slightly, picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and smiled:
"I didn't witness the process firsthand, so I don't know the specifics of the ' Clan Ritual.' I only know that, fundamentally, the purpose of the ' Clan Ritual ' is to stimulate the power of one's bloodline."
"Activate the power of bloodline?"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. His understanding of bloodline power was still at the level of Dou Di Bloodline. However, with the gradual improvement of his cultivation over the years, the strength boost brought by bloodline power had become increasingly weak. As a result, Xiao Yan rarely used bloodline power anymore. He never expected that the Xiao Clan would have such a method.
Just as Xiao Yan was lost in thought, Bai Hua, dressed in white and with a pale face, slowly walked out of the room with Lian'er's support.
Are you alright?
Upon seeing Bai Hua, Xiao Yan immediately snapped out of his thoughts, and Xiao Xuan, who was standing beside him, stood up and stepped forward with a friendly expression.
I'm sorry to have worried you.
Bai Hua shook his head weakly, and Xiao Yan took out a few pills and handed them to him. After Bai Hua took them, Xiao Yan sat down with him at the stone table.
"I understand the situation. I know what's wrong with my body. I never imagined that the Creation Pill would cause this result. I was careless back then."
Recalling what had happened these past few days, Bai Hua couldn't help but feel a sense of self-reproach. If it weren't for him, Xiao Yan wouldn't have had so much trouble for no reason.
Xiao Yan shook his head dismissively and smiled:
"It's alright. Some troubles are unavoidable, just in a different form. Just take care of yourself, and leave the rest to us."
Xiao Xuan nodded and smiled in agreement. Lian'er's face, which had been filled with bitterness, blossomed into a beautiful smile as she gently stroked Bai Hua's back to comfort her.
Seeing the three people in front of him like this, Bai Hua felt a growing warmth in his heart. He didn't say anything formal or polite. After a moment's thought, he nodded emphatically.
In the days that followed, the situation in the clan became much calmer. After the clan Xiao Dingtian ended, Xiao Xuan no longer came to bother them, and Xiao Xuan declined all the visits from the clan elders. This period was the most leisurely and peaceful time for Xiao Yan since he joined the Xiao Clan.
All the troubles seemed to vanish with the end of the clan meeting.
In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed, and two familiar figures once again appeared before Xiao Yan's door.
Xiao Lei and Xiao Zhuobin.
"Congratulations! No wonder I haven't seen you these past few days; you've been in seclusion, trying to break through to a higher level."
Inside the living room, Xiao Yan smiled as he looked at the two brothers before him. After not seeing them for several days, Xiao Zhuobin's cultivation had actually broken through to the Five-Star Yuan Zong.
"Hehe, things will fall into place naturally, and the breakthrough will follow."
Xiao Zhuobin smiled faintly, a hint of undisguised joy in his eyes, clearly having long awaited this breakthrough. Xiao Lei, however, was already well-versed in the guy's personality. He made a simple joke, casually took the teacup Lian'er handed him, and scrutinized the stunningly beautiful girl before him. Then, he said seriously:
"We're not here today to joke around."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan raised his eyes slightly, somewhat surprised. Xiao Lei took a sip of the fragrant tea and continued:
"The list of participants for the ' Clan Ritual ' has been compiled. We've come to ask you to go to the ancestral hall together."
Upon hearing the words "Clan Ritual, "Xiao Yan's face immediately showed emotion. His patient waiting over the past few days had finally brought about this mysterious ' Clan Ritual '.
Just then, a figure stepped into the living room. The three immediately looked over and saw Xiao Xuan and Xiao Mingyuan coming together. When the latter saw Xiao Lei and Xiao Zhuobin in front of him, he immediately understood and laughed with slight surprise. Then he looked at Xiao Yan and said:
"Hey, looks like I'm late. You already knew?"
"It's not too late, we just arrived too."
Upon seeing the visitors, the Xiao Lei brothers did not dare to be negligent and quickly stood up, cupped their hands, and smiled.
Xiao Yan nodded with a smile, exchanged a smile with Xiao Xuan, and then stood up and teased Xiao Mingyuan:
"Why is even the Third Elder participating in the ' Clan Ritual '?"
"I have no interest in children's games. I just don't want Xiao Dingtian to cause any more trouble in this matter. I'm worried about you, so I'm planning to go along and check on you."
Xiao Mingyuan pursed his lips, forgetting that Xiao Dingtian's grandson was still standing in front of him.
Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Lei beside him, who simply smiled indifferently and shrugged in tacit agreement with Xiao Zhuobin, without saying anything more.
"Although Elder Xiao Dingtian was somewhat difficult at the clan meeting, he didn't go so far as to interfere. Besides, the ' Clan Ritual ' is a matter of great importance, so there shouldn't be any problems."
After a moment's thought, Xiao Yan spoke slowly.
"I hope so. However, that old stubborn man is quite concerned about the quality of your bloodline. He can't interfere much at the clan meeting. If he takes action this time, I'm afraid things won't be so easy to get over."
Xiao Mingyuan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, frowned, and stared intently at the old man before him, asking in surprise:
"The quality of our bloodline? What does that have to do with him?"
"This... I can't explain it to you right now. Let's go to the ancestral hall first. Once we get there, you'll understand."
After a long pause, Xiao Mingyuan gave a vague reply. Xiao Lei and Xiao Zhuobin exchanged glances, seemingly lost in thought. Only Xiao Yan was completely bewildered, not understanding the meaning of Xiao Mingyuan's words. After a long silence, he finally gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice:
"Then let's go to the ancestral hall."